Concert Report
Lucy Counsel, Concert Oganizer
My heartfelt thanks to all participants of the concert & to all Merasheeners & friends of Merasheeners for being such a wonderful audience. A famous writer said, "I think the one lesson I have learned is that there is no substitute for paying attention". You were a most attentive audience.
I'm sure all of us missed those who could not be with us this year. I know that was very much on my mind & I'm sure accounted for a lot of the respectful hush.
- I want to thank all those who came from so far.Donatus Fulford came from Marystown & opened the concert with all participants, leading us in Merasheen Born & Merasheen Bred.
- Next came Kevin Hartley followed by Randy Follett who entertained us with beautiful songs & music. They came from St John's to be with us.
- Next came the youngest member of our group-Curtis Collins-age 10. He is my nephew & I was so proud of him.He was accompanied by John & Irene Whittle (Who travelled from St John's to be with us). He received a standing ovation for his rendition of The Road to Kildare
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- Monsignor Denis Walsh took time out of his busy schedule to be with us. We are very appreciative.He sang The rocks of Merasheen with John Whittle. Later in the program he sang "I had a home out in Texas". Then he & Viola (Pomroy) Pink did a tremendous step-dance accompanied by Vince Pomroy on the accordion. It was great, all-round.
- Sadie Ennis did us proud - A monologue composed by herself & performed beautifully & followed by a delightful song.
- We finally got Kay Newhook on stage & her powerful & melodious voice brought back many memories of parties in Little Merasheen. For those of you who don't know, she's the daughter of Johnny & Lizzie Ennis.
- The Pittman Family entertained us beautifully. Eugene (SR) sang a song in memory of Dick Ennis. His daughter Krista & son Mike sang for us & the two of them are following in their Dad's footsteps - great voices. Mike was returning to Fort McMurray.
- Johnny Whittle & Harry Murphy entertained us with such beautiful songs. We have established that Johnny has ties to Merasheen & now we're searching for ties for Harry. He has a suberb voice & he & Johnny perform very well together.
- In addition to her dance, Viola gave us a couple of tunes on the Dulcimer.
- John Tobias Pearson gave us several songs, one which was very much appreciated by Michael Joseph Fulfords family, as it was their Dad's song.
- John Pitcher (Also travelled from St John's) & gave a beautiful song reminding us of what it's like to spend Christmas in a High-Rise.
- Donatus Fulford then entertained us with a couple of beautiful songs & sang one song as a tribute to his sister - Trina.
- Barb Wilson took the stage next - she travelled from Chapel Cove all on her own. She sang beautifully & also brought back many memories.
- My son Jason sang next & did a great job. He stayed especially for the concert & dance. He & his wife Liz had to be at the airport early the next morning for their trip to Yellowknife.
- Participants then sang Merasheen Farewell, led by the Pittman Family, & we closed with the Ode to Newfoundland.
The concert was long & I apologize for that - next time I'll be sure to have it much shorter.
But everyone did a phenomenal job & I am so thankful to all of you. I have received many kind words about your performances. "Kind words are jewels that live in our heart & soul & remain as blessed memories years after they are spoken." Thank-you to all those who took time to congratulate & encourage us.
I want to thank everybody who attended & came from so far.
I also want to thank the committee. Our leader Valerie is always encouraging & full of new ideas. Doreen does a lot of work behind the scenes, notifying the media & taking care of our money. Evelyn does all our programs & posters & is there for every need. Edna keeps us all in good spirits & is our P.R. person. All of them work hard behind the scenes
Now we can look forward to washrooms for the Center, and we wait with great anticipation for our Garden Party from August 6-10 this Summer.
You know what's really great is to see young people taking such an active part.We have to keep remembering our roots & celebrating them. Happy memories never wear out-recall them as often as we wish. I think most of us can say "If everything special & warm & happy in our formative years could be consolidated into one word, that word would be MERASHEEN".
I also want to say that those of you who could not be there that we missed you very much & you are in our thoughts & prayers.
Until we meet again,May God hold you tenderly in the Palm of His hand.
Be sure to sign below or use the guest book so that we can see you've been in on the site.
Pictures
'We didn't get pictures of everyone, so if you have any please send them to a committee member, or to jason_counsel(AT)yahoo(DOT)ca - thanks!'
Alice Connors Photos
Click here for pics of the Dance from Alice Connors (login required - no charge)
Elizabeth Counsel's Photos
Randy Follett
Donatus Fulford
Jason Counsel
Curtis Collins
Eugene Pittman & daughter Krista
Mike Pittman
Harry Murphy & John Whittle
John Tobias Pearson
Kay Newhook (Ennis)
Kevin Hartley
Lucy Counsel (M.C.)
Viola Pink (Pomroy)
(:commentbox:)
Jason Counsel — 07 April 2010, 15:47
Great to hear you are attending Jerry - you'll be glad you made the trip I'm sure.
Jerry Pittman — 07 April 2010, 09:45
My name is Jerry Pittman and my dad Alphonsus Pittman was born in Merasheen in 1928. Dad passed away on September 15,2008 and as a tribute to him I will try to make it out to the reunion this year.
Marie Best — 11 March 2008, 19:09
Just happened on this site, my father Albert Cecil Best was born in Merasheen to Stella (Walsh) and Lambert Best. I am his oldest daughter. Father Din (Dennis Walsh) is my cousin. I visited Merasheen with my cousin Phyllis when I was about seven years old, and still have some very great memories of the wonderful island. I will certainly visit this and other sites regularly. Keep up the good work. I love it.
Pat Hennessey — 06 February 2008, 17:41
Good job Curtis !!! I hope I can be there for the garden party this year . Also , I sincerely hope that I don't look as old as the rest of you . Speaking of which ,Lucy ,who died this week ? At the rate you're seeing them off lately, there will be no one left by the time next reunion roles around .By the way , I guess the Grand Falls crew are as snooty as ever or maybe my invitation to their various reunions got lost in the mail .
Maureen Hennessey — 02 February 2008, 10:14
My cousin, Pauline Hennessey, put me on to this site... I have thoroughly enjoyed viewing it. Our grandfather, Leo Hennessey, grew up in Merasheen... he and his brother, Joe, came to Grand Falls at young ages (got to get my dates straight) to work in the new paper mill that had started here. He married Gertrude Edwards and, together, they raised their family in Grand Falls. We've had Hennessey Reunions in GFW in 1990, 1997 and 2005... the next one will be in Halifax in 2009. Maybe the one after that should be Merasheen... that would be REALLY going back to our roots!
Doreen Ennis — 30 January 2008, 11:00
Well Lucy, looks like you won't be allowed to retire just yet and disappoint all those people who look forward to a good old 'Merasheen'Time. Kudos to your fine organizational skills
Alice m Pittman Dicks. — 29 January 2008, 06:04
My father was Alphonsus D Pittman and his brother Jim.s boys and daughter of New Bedford are hoping to come to Merasheen this I plan to be there also Thank you for this wonderfull site Alice m Dicks {pittman] sister of Al jr. who wrote THe Rocks of Merasheen and many other plays poetry and such about resettelment and That Great Bay, Thank you again,
Rosemarie Murphy — 28 January 2008, 16:54
Congratulations on a another successful concert and dance. I guess you could say the closest connection to Merasheen for Harry is being life time neighbors with Don & Violet Pomroy and growing up with their children. Looking forward to next years time.
IRENE RAHMAN-WHITTLE — 28 January 2008, 08:02
A GREAT JOB, JASON! LOVE THE PICS AND LUCY YOU SHOULD MC ALL THE CONCERTS IN PLACENTIA. YOU ARE A TALENTED LADY. NEXT TIME, I THINK YOU SHOULD SING A SONG, WE ALL KNOW YOU CAN SING! I LOVE THE QUOTES YOU DEMONSTRATE IN THANKING PEOPLE. LOOK FORWARD TO ANOTHER MERASHEEN CONCERT SO WELL PUT OFF BY YOU AND ALL THOSE THAT VOLUNTEERED THEIR TIME AND TALENT. "TIME IS ONLY GRAINS IN THE OCEAN OF LIFE", THE LONGER THE BETTER! WE HAD A GREAT TIME.
pat counsel — 08 January 2008, 08:03
It was a good night out , the committee got closer to its goal and the merasheen tradition got another boost. The length of the concert may be a negative ,on the other hand it ended when it's about dance time in Placentia and it gave the band at least one set rest. They deserved that after all their help.Congratulations to all committee members Hats off to the performers who gave their all.When is the next one?
